EIG COVID-19 Update | June 8, 2020

With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these emails to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.

International Updates

Honduras | The government extended the curfew until June 14.
Case Update: 184 new cases, 93 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Hong Kong | There are new exemptions to the quarantine requirements available to executives of certain companies who travel to China. Companies that are eligible for the travel exemption will apply, and travelers will still be subject to specific restrictions.

Liberia | International travel to Liberia will resume on June 21. The state of emergency began in April.
Case Update: 14 new cases, 3 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

New Zealand | Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the government would lift its last remaining restrictions to curb the coronavirus at midnight. New Zealand’s international borders will remain closed.
Case Update: 0 new cases, — daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Poland | The suspension on international travel will be extended until June 16.
Case Update: 575 new cases, 8 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Russia | Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the major restrictions would be lifted by the end of June.
Case Update: 8,985 new cases, 1 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Singapore | All foreigners on work passes should be prepared that MOM could potentially inspect their homes at any time. MOM is authorized to send an employment inspector or officer to the premises of a work pass holder or to the premises of an employer to verify immigration compliance in relation to foreign employees at any time without prior notice, under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
MOM may be taking extra precautions by stepping up its home checks to ensure that there is no overcrowding in homes occupied by foreigners as part of the government’s overall efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Case Update: 383 new cases, 39 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Sri Lanka | The country will reopen for international tourism on August 1.
Case Update: 21 new cases, 8 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

Tunisia | President Kais Saied announced today that the nationwide curfew that began in March was now over.
Case Update: 1 new cases, -1 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

The United Kingdom | Beginning June 8, nearly all travelers into the UK must provide journey and contact details via an online public healthy passenger locator form. Most have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. The Home Office has published guidance on travelers who are exempt from the new border rules as there are exceptions for some, including UK officials and diplomats.

Individuals who live in the UK but work in another country and travel for work at least once a week are exempt from the self-isolation requirement. They should consider carrying a letter from their employer, evidence of their home address, and evidence of their recent trips to and from the UK.

The policy will be reviewed every three weeks, and the entry rules may vary between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Case Update: 1,326 new cases, -231 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/8, 4:00 PM CEST

In the most recent Immigration Nerds podcast, Alejandra Zapatero, Erickson Immigration Group’s Director of Client Relations and Managing Attorney, joins to talk about the recent H-1B cap lottery, the steps individuals can take if they were not selected in this year’s lottery, and the paths forward applicants can take to maximize their opportunities in America.

The Immigration Nerds podcast shares stories at the cross-section of immigration news and policy updates, business, culture, travel, developing trends, and, for now, the coronavirus. If you have stories to share, we want to hear from you.

We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.